Branch connection for bicycle-frames



(N6 Model.) w

J. H. BENNETT.

BRANGH CONNECTION FOR BICYCLE FRAMES. NO. 585,176.

Pen-tented June 29, 1897.

Fla 5 Inventar.

minesas.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. BENNETT, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

BRANCH CONNECTION FOR BICYCLE-FRAMES.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 585,176, dated June29, 1897.

Application filed December 21, 1896. Serial No. 616,391. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Beit known that I, JOHN H. BENNETT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented anew and useful Improvement in BranchConnections for.

Bicycle-Frames, of which the following, together with the accompanyingdrawings, is a specification sufficiently full, clear, and exact toenable persons skilled in the art to which this invention appertains tomake and use the same.

The object of my present invention is to provide, as a new article ofmanufacture for the purpose specified, a branch connectionplate with anarticulated tube-supporting branch adapted for slight oscillative adjustment, whereby said plate is rendered practically convertible for usein bicycle-frames of different sizes or with varied degrees of"angularity of the braces, thereby obviating the necessity orrequirement of separate and special forms of plates for each and everyvariation of bicycle-frames; also, to provide a branch connection plate,for the purpose specified, having a branch that can be adjusted toaccommodate the configuration of the bicycle-frame in which it isassembled, the adjusting-joint of said branch disposed for permanentfixture by the attachment and fixture of the tube-supporting thimble,there by affording ready and accurate assemblage and giving rigidsupport for the tubes or braces in a completed frame. These objects Iattain by the branch connection shown in the drawings, wherein Figure 1is a side view of my improved branch connection-plate. Fig. 2 is a topedge view, and Fig. 3 a front end View, of the same. Fig. 4 is a sideview showing the arrangement of the joint-thimbles and tubularframe-bars upon the connection-plate, and Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectionthrough the branch at line branches a and a, having shoulders d and 6,

against which the edges of the thimbles and terlocked in a manner thatwill afford a slight backward and forward oscillative adjustment of thebranch at relatively to the axis of the other branch-a, while holdingsaid branch section securely in connection with the main section of theplate without permitting longitudinal looseness of the branch. Thejuncture of the parts is preferably as shown in Fig. 1, the main sectionof the plate A being provided in its upward-projecting part with acircular recess f betweenthe shoulders e and including aboutthree-fourths of a circle. The branch section a is provided with acircular end f, of the same diameter of circle as the recess, which fitsinto said recess by lateral insertion, forming a close interlockingattachment one part with the other, as shown. The shoulders m on thebranch a are sufficiently short to leave a narrow space or between m ande, which permits of the top end of the part a being forced forward orbackward to a limited degree of oscillative adjustment, whereby theinclination of the branch at can-be varied relatively to the axis of thebranch or as desired, (see dotted lines 3, 4, and 5 on Fig. 1,) so thatwhen the connectionplate A is applied to use in assembling abicycle-frame the branches can be relatively adjusted to suit theparticular angular relation required for the respective braces or tubesB B of that particular frame, the same branch connection-plate beingadapted for different forms of bicycle -frame Without change in themanufacture.

The two portions of the plate are made of the same thickness, and theline of juncture between the main and branch sections is disposed so asto lie just within the spherical head 0 of the thimble C. When the tubesand thimbles are brazed or soldered together after the frame is set up,the joint m is rendered permanently solid and the parts rigidly fixed inthe frame, giving as strong a connection as if made in a single piece.The

plate is provided with the usual jaw or slot 2' for receiving thebicycle-axle.

These improved branch connection-plates are made and sold as separatearticles of manufacture and present the important advantages ofsimplicity, economy, and ready adaptability for meeting the requirementsof various bicycle-frames.

I claim as my invention herein to be secured by Letters Patent 1. Abranch connection-plate for bicycleframes, provided with an articulatedbranch, the main portion of the plate, and said branch being formed offlat plate metal and both disposed in the same plane; substantially asand for the purpose set forth.

2. A branch connection-plate for bicycleframes, provided with tubesupporting branches, one of said branches adapted to have a backward andforward oscillative adjustment for varying the relative angularity ofthe respective branches, in combination with a j oint-supportin gthimble, covering the juncture of said branch with its plate, andadapted for telescopic connection with the frame-bar, and forpermanent-support of the branch joint in the completed connection,substantially as set forth.

The branch connection-plate composed of a main section forming theaxle-reeeiving jaw and forwardly-projecting branch, and a branch sectionunited with said main section by a close articulate interlockingengagement that permits the swinging or angular variation of said branchsection in the plane of the plate; in combination with a joint-thimblcadapted to embrace the juncture of said sections, as set forth.

\Vitness my hand this 17th day of December, 1806.

JOHN II. BENNET' Vitnesses:

CHAS. II. BURLEIGH, ELLA I. BLENUS.

